MicroRNA (miRNA) and Downstream Targets for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Purposes

Abstract

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions inhibit the activity of miR-21 for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.

1 .- 139 . (canceled) 
     
     
         140 . A method for diagnosing fibrosis comprising measuring the expression of miR-21 in a sample from a patient supposed to suffer from fibrosis, wherein an elevated level of miR-21 in comparison to a control sample indicates fibrosis or a predisposition thereof. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 140  comprising contacting the sample with a modified oligonucleotide complementary to miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein each of a plurality of nucleosides of the modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified sugar. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein each modified sugar is independently selected from a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar, a 2′-fluoro sugar, a 2′-O-methyl sugar, or a bicyclic sugar moiety. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 90% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 95% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is 100% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         148 . A method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment and/or the prevention of fibrosis or a predisposition thereof, comprising
 a) contacting a candidate substance with a sample comprising miR-21; and   b) determining the effect of the candidate substance on the sample;   
       wherein an alteration of miR-21 indicates that the candidate substance is a pharmaceutically active compound. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 148 , wherein the candidate substance is a modified oligonucleotide complementary to miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein each of a plurality of nucleosides of the modified oligonucleotide comprises a modified sugar. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 150 , wherein each modified sugar is independently selected from a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar, a 2′-fluoro sugar, a 2′-O-methyl sugar, or a bicyclic sugar moiety. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 90% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 95% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is 100% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-21 (SEQ ID NO: 1).